Expert: Kirk Ryan - 3/15/2008

Question
I recently acquired an old oak desk which had been sat in a shed for quite some time.
Moved it indoors a week ago and unfortunately a heater got switched on near it - as a result it now has quite a few cracks opened up in it up to about 1mm wide right through the wood - I can see light through them - where there were no cracks before.
Additionally the base appears to have warped slightly.
The outside of the desk has a beeswax finish, the inside is untreated.

Having moved the desk away from any heat source, what can I do to prevent the cracks getting any worse, and is it possible to get them to close up again without further damaging the desk?
Thanks in advance.

Answer
If it is a solid wood desk, it may be tricky. Usually with solid wood, cracks are like glass cracks. Once it starts, it keeps going. I would recommend seeking a professional woodworker to help. They may be able to repair it and prevent further cracking.

To prevent further damage from heat and dryness I recommend using a wood oil/conditioner. This will help to moisturize and protect the wood. Do not use anything wax based, it won't allow the wood to breathe.

Best of luck!